RV, camper and motorhome trip planning toolbox – The best ever created
| Total Days | 36 Days |
| Total Distance | 8,661 km |
| Start / End | Denver, CO to Los Angeles, CA |
| Regions Covered | Alberta, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wyoming |
| Who It Fits | Families, history buffs, nature lovers, and long-term road trippers |
| Best Season | Summer to early Fall |
Connecting the high plains of Colorado to the sun-soaked beaches of Southern California by way of the Canadian Rockies is a monumental undertaking, but it is precisely the kind of journey motorhomes were built for. Covering 8,661 km over 36 days allows you to experience the ultimate cross-section of North America. You will transition from high-altitude geysers to pristine coastal gardens, all while carrying your home with you. Slow travel is the secret to unlocking this route. Instead of rushing between hotels, an RV allows you to wake up near hiking trailheads, cook meals with a view of majestic mountains, and set your own pace as you cross borders and traverse nine distinct states and provinces.
To successfully navigate 8,661 km, you must break the journey into manageable regional stages. The full, detailed day-by-day itinerary is available exclusively inside RV PLAN, but here is how the broader rhythm of your trip will unfold.
Your journey begins in Denver, taking you northward through the expansive high plains. This opening leg is defined by wide-open skies, early American history, and iconic stone monuments. You will pace yourself through Colorado and into South Dakota and Wyoming, mixing aviation history with wildlife viewing before reaching some of the most recognizable national memorials in the country.
As you move deeper into Wyoming and Montana, the landscape becomes rugged and volatile. This stage is heavily focused on natural features and historic mining sites. You will spend your days navigating geothermal basins, walking historic ranch lands, and exploring the superlative mining history of the region. The driving distances here are punctuated by frequent stops for hiking and wildlife observation.
Crossing the border into Alberta and British Columbia marks a dramatic shift in elevation and scenery. This is the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Expect winding scenic routes, dramatic peaks, and fascinating local history—including world-famous dinosaur exhibits. The pace slows down here as you navigate mountain passes and take advantage of the numerous outdoor family activities available in the Canadian wilderness.
Descending from the Rockies, you will enter Washington and Oregon. The environment transitions from jagged peaks to lush, temperate rainforests and world-renowned botanical gardens. This stage offers a refreshing coastal rhythm, where you can enjoy local industry tours, pristine parks, and a more relaxed driving cadence as you parallel the Pacific Ocean.
The final stretch brings you down the iconic California coast. From the towering redwoods of the north to the historic coastal castles of the central coast, this leg is packed with diverse attractions. As you approach Los Angeles, the natural features give way to extreme activities and amusement parks, providing a thrilling conclusion to your monumental 36-day journey.
This itinerary is packed with diverse attractions. Here is a taste of what you will discover along the way:
We recommend a full 36 days for this itinerary. Covering 8,661 km requires consistent driving, and 36 days allows you to average a manageable daily distance while still leaving plenty of time to explore the 13 hiking areas, multiple museums, and amusement parks along the way.
Absolutely. This is a bucket-list itinerary that captures the very best of western North America. From the high-altitude geysers of Wyoming to the rugged peaks of the Canadian Rockies and the historic coastline of California, the sheer variety of landscapes makes this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This route is ideal for long-term road trippers, adventurous families, and retirees. With a mix of extreme activities, historical sites, botanical gardens, and scenic routes, it caters to diverse interests and multi-generational travel groups.
Summer is essential for this route. Because you will be traveling through the high elevations of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and the Canadian Rockies, many mountain passes, campgrounds, and hiking trails are only fully accessible from late June through early September.
Planning a 36-day, 8,661 km journey requires careful attention to your rental agreement. Because this trip starts in Denver and ends in Los Angeles, you will be booking a one-way rental. Be sure to account for one-way drop fees, which are standard in the industry for cross-country routes. Additionally, pay close attention to mileage packages. A standard rental often includes a base number of kilometers per day, but for a trip of this length, purchasing an unlimited mileage package or pre-paying for bulk kilometers is highly recommended. For the most accurate, live pricing and vehicle availability tailored to your exact travel dates, use the search tools provided by RV PLANET below.
A super chance to bloom and flourish on the open road awaits. If you are ready to rock and roll from the Rockies to the Pacific, head over to RV PLAN to view the complete day-by-day itinerary, secure your vehicle, and finalize your ultimate road trip.
See the full polyline, drag stops to customize, and get live pricing in one click.
Open this route in RV PLAN →| Nearby RV rental stations | Cruise America- 26-E (Denver (DEN area)), Native Campervans-24 E (Denver (DEN area)), Indie Campers USA - 26 E (Denver (DEN area)), Britz USA-25/26-E (Denver (DEN area)), El Monte-2026-E (Denver (DEN area)) |
|---|---|
| Sample RV cost — 4 travelers (Class A / B / C) | {{BANDANA_PRICING_TABLE}} |
| Estimated fuel cost (total) | $1,900–$2,500 |
| Estimated campground cost (total) | $1,800–$2,880 |
| Estimated attractions & entrance fees — family of 4 | $700–$1,200 |
| Estimated groceries / self-catered food — family of 4 | $1,300–$1,800 |
| Live availability & pricing | Check live availability & pricing on Rent Motorhome → |
Estimate assumptions: Assumes 10 MPG in a Class C motorhome, averaging $3.80/gallon for fuel, mixed public/private campgrounds at $60/night, during the summer season. All figures are estimates — verify on Rent Motorhome and RV PLAN for your travel dates.
A high-level look at how the route flows in stages. The exact daily stops, overnight picks, and detour options are built for you inside RV PLAN — open the route to see the full plan.
Transition from Denver's urban edge through the expansive plains of Colorado, Wyoming, and South Dakota, focusing on early American history and sweeping landscapes.
Navigate the volatile geothermal regions and rugged mining territories of Wyoming and Montana, keeping the pace slow for hiking and wildlife spotting.
Cross into Alberta and British Columbia to experience dramatic mountain passes, prehistoric discoveries, and breathtaking alpine elevations.
Descend from the mountains into the lush, temperate environments of Washington and Oregon, enjoying a coastal rhythm and pristine botanical landscapes.
Cruise the iconic Pacific coastline down to Los Angeles, blending historic coastal architecture with thrilling family amusement parks.
Total cost for this 36-day itinerary depends on the rig you pick, the pickup season, mileage add-ons, and any one-way drop-off fee across the 8,661 km route. Check live availability and a real quote for the Denver → Los Angeles pickup window on Rent Motorhome.
Live availability & pricing for this exact route
Prices update daily. See the full breakdown — nightly rate, taxes, one-way fee, mileage package — for your travel dates.
These are real vehicles in our Denver pickup fleet that fit a multi-week western U.S. itinerary. Configure dates on rvplan.net to see live availability and the total trip cost for the exact rig you want.
| Motorhome | Class | Sleeps | Length | Transmission |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Space Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class A - Integrated | 8 | 8.9 m | Auto Transmission |
| Family Sleeper (FS) El Monte-2026-E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 9.7 m | Auto Transmission |
| R 29-31 Road Bear RV-26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 9.4 m | Auto Transmission |
| Comfort Standard Select Indie Campers USA - 26 E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 7.3 m | Auto Transmission |
| C-30 Cruise America- 26-E |
Class C - Alcove | 7 | 9.1 m | Auto Transmission |
Pick your dates below and we'll open the live RV PLANET booking flow for the Denver → Los Angeles route.
Picking up in Denver but want a shorter loop or a different destination? Compare these RV PLANET itineraries that depart from the same depot: